2 Comments so far

docmisty October 6, 2012
10:58 am

Good question, Jenny.

I think I noticed the opposite. The best time simple ASL worked for me, was in that stage where the babies know what they want, but they can’t form and speak the words. They get really frustrated pointing and grunting while you guess what they want. Being able to tell you in one ‘word’ (sign) that they are hungry, thirsty, tired, want to go ‘outside’, all ‘done’ eating, play, etc. seemed to be liberating.

But, as with anything, each kid is different. Like how I figured I was a pro after potty training four very different kids, but number five wouldn’t go along with any of the 100 methods that had worked before

In general, though, kids have the desire and mental ability to speak before their vocal development is ready, so sign language helps fill in the gaps then.

Have you noticed any unwillingness (especially in baby boys) to learn how to speak after learning “baby sign language”? I had an interest in ASL as a kid; my fiance has expressed an interest in learning it to aid his ministry; and I’ve heard a lot of positive things about teaching it to babies. So I’ve been thinking about trying it when we start having kids. However, I’m concerned that it might slow down the speech development process. My baby brother didn’t bother learning how to talk for years because he got away with grunts and pointing.